Safety harness failure is a very serious danger that can lead to injury or even death. There are many reasons why a safety harness may fail, but the vast majority of these can be prevented by taking the proper precautions.

To avoid safety harness failure, familiarise yourself with the risks listed below and take steps to steer clear of them.

Safety Harness Failure Causes

As mentioned above, there are a few ways that safety harnesses can fail, which is why it is incredibly important to stay diligent when using a safety harness. Work at height is dangerous and unfortunately responsible for a lot of fatalities – worldwide, approximately 2,000 people per day fall to their deaths while working at height.

Work to keep yourself safe by staying informed and doing everything you can to prevent safety harness failure. To help you to stay aware of the risks of working at height, here are a few of the reasons why a safety harness may fail:

Poor Harness Maintenance

Like all safety equipment, safety harnesses need to be properly maintained in order to function properly. A badly-maintained harness may fail due to damage, so always check for signs of wear and tear (like frayed straps or rust).

If you aren’t sure that a harness has been properly maintained and stored, then don’t use it. Inspect the harness properly before each use.

Safety Harness Misuse

Safety harnesses need to be used properly to prevent safety harness failure. If you are not properly trained or are too tired to safely use a harness, you may forget important steps like properly tightening the harness’s straps.

Never work at height using a safety harness if you are not confident in your ability to use one safely. Ask for additional training if necessary. You should also familiarise yourself with the HSE’s guidance for working at height.

Improper Fit

Safety harnesses aren’t one-size-fits-all. They come in a variety of different sizes, and an ill-fitting safety harness is less effective than a harness that fits correctly. Wearing the wrong size will likely cause discomfort, restrict movement, and could even increase the risk of injury in the event of a fall.

Read more about finding the right size of safety harness: Do Safety Harnesses Come in Different Sizes?

Prevent Failure: Always Inspect Your Harness

While it is not the only cause of safety harness failure, using a damaged harness is a major and unnecessary risk. The best way to prevent safety harness failure is through proper training and regular safety harness inspections.

Safety harnesses should always be fully inspected by a competent person who has been properly trained. When inspecting a safety harness, check that it is undamaged and within its service life. Safety harnesses can expire and should not be pushed to the point where continued use causes damage.

At Safety Harness Direct, we have a full guide on inspecting safety harnesses to prevent safety harness failure. Before you use a safety harness, we recommend you read How to Inspect a Safety Harness.

Replace Failed Safety Harnesses

If your safety harness fails the inspection, doesn’t fit you, or you have any concerns at all about your safety harness, then you shouldn’t use it. Above are just a few of the reasons why a safety harness may fail, so don’t take the risk if you have any doubts. It may be safer to replace your safety harness with a new, reliable one.

At Safety Harness Direct, we have a huge range of safety harnesses that are suitable for different situations and industries. We work with trusted industry manufacturers to offer durable and reliable safety harnesses. To help avoid safety harness failure, select a safety harness from our store that you are properly trained with and which fits you well.

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READ MORE: Safety Harness Hazards